The Loft Historic Districts (North and South) are located
near the University of Maryland Campus in downtown Baltimore. The Districts
are architecturally significant for their massive, brick vertical manufactories
that date from 1870 to 1915 and represent the finest collection of large
Victorian, Romanesque and early modern industrial design in Baltimore.
At the turn of the century, Baltimore was a national leader in the manufacture
of ready-to-wear clothes. This area housed many of the clothing manufacturers
that represented a significant segment of Baltimore's leading industrial
firms. The E. Rosenfeld & Company, Hamburger Brothers, and the Strauss
Brothers are just a few of these important companies located in the districts.

Both historic districts retain a high degree of integrity. All of
the buildings are five to seven stories high and feature a variety of
architectural details including decorative brick work; rough stone archways,
sills and lintels; terra cotta decoration; cast iron storefronts and
rooftop water tanks. The Loft Historic Districts contain the largest
concentration of loft type structures in downtown Baltimore. While some
industry remains, many of the industrial buildings have been innovatively
converted to residential and office uses.

The Loft Historic District North is roughly bounded by Paca, Redwood,
Eutaw, and Lombard Sts. The Loft Historic District South is located
along the 500 block of W. Pratt St. between Green St. and the 100 block
of S. Paca St. The buildings in the districts are not open to the public.